Looking After Yourself

Caring can be a cause of stress and this can affect the quality of life of the carer as well as those being cared for. The task of caring is both important and difficult.

When someone develops an illness it can often be far too easy to focus on their needs and put aside your own. This is not a good idea. Carers cannot continue providing support unless they are looking after themselves. Keeping yourself well is in the best interests of everyone, so remember to make time for you.

Try to maintain your friendships and contacts with other members of your family.

Make time for yourself, for at least a few hours every week.

Every so often you may want or need a longer period of time to yourself. This may be difficult to arrange and seem quite daunting, but mental health services might be of assistance, don’t be afraid to ask for help talk to them about “respite care”.